AFM Racing has announced that it will miss the start of the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship after electing to delay its entry into the new season.

The team, which became the first in history to run a diesel engine last year, had planned to expand to run two cars for Rick Kerry and Nick Leason this season, but has now elected to put its entry on hold to continue development of the car.

By not registering for the series in time for this weeks media day, the team will not be affected by the testing ban that will soon come into force and will be free to continue work on the car with the aim being to enter later in the season.

"It's unfortunate and disappointing but we have made the hard but right decision not to officially enter at this time," team spokesman Steve Collins said. "We need to continue in the development of our cars and need vital testing time which the team would not be able to achieve if we registered due to the testing ban which takes place.

"We are moving forward positively and want to make sure the team and our drivers all move a huge step forward when we start to race. We now have a sequential gearbox and know what is needed regards our engine development programme, having support from Quaife and an experienced engine builder on board who both are working closely with us to achieve the best results.

"But we have just run out of time to complete testing and development to what we require."